European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Gorbachev to free Balti Snew plan would shift most Power to republics Moscow apr president Mikhail Gorbachev won preliminary  for a plan to restructure the soviet Union into a confederation of Sovereign states but he ran into stubborn opposition from traditionalist lawmakers. Earlier wednesday Gorbachev agreed to Grant Independence to the Baltic republics making them the first breakaway soviet states to win such recognition from the Kremlin. Kremlin authority has been crumbling fast in the Wake of last month s hard line coup. Two thirds of the soviet republics have declared Independence. Gorbachev had been expected to raise the Issue of Baltic Independence at the Congress of Peoples deputies but did not because it apparently lacked sufficient support. The Congress adjourned for the night after voting overwhelmingly to approve a Resolution on the Power transferring plan As a basis for discussion. Delegations from each Republic were to work on the drafts and submit proposals wednesday evening to an editorial commission which was to work through the night to consider the various proposals. Lawmakers were to reconvene thursday morning to consider them. After a Day in which the Congress twice was recessed for a total of six hours so that last minute amendments could be hammered into his proposal Gorbachev faced off with testy lawmakers. He had to prod the reluctant Congress into giving preliminary approval to his plans to Transfer most Kremlin Power to the republics add transform the soviet Union into a Loose confederation of Sovereign states. Lawmakers repeatedly demanded that they be allowed to speak from the floor of the Congress but Gor see Baltic on Page 2 ., soviets told to Cut stockpiles of Short Range missile locked fire door a locked padlock hangs from a fire door at the Imperial food products Plant in Hamlet n.c., on tuesday after a fire left at least 25 people dead. The 11-Ycar-old Plant had never been inspected. See Story on Page 4. Bonn Germany apr Chancellor Helmut Kohl on wednesday demanded the United states and soviet Union reduce their Short Range nuclear weapons and that the West cease expecting that Germany will pay the Lions share of Aid to the soviets. In a key parliamentary address Kohl focused on two areas in which Germany has been speaking out with growing emphasis disarmament and Western help for the soviets. Kohl said Germany s partners and allies should do More to help the soviet Union since it is also in their interest that the troubled nation remains stable. A this huge task cannot be left to us germans alone or just to the europeans. Every country a and i mean every country a must carry a fair share of this joint responsibility corresponding to its abilities a Kohl said. Kohl said that since 1989, Germany has spent More than 90 billion Marks $51 billion to support reforms in Eastern Europe and the soviet Union. More than 60 billion Marks $34 billion of that amount has been earmarked for the soviets he said. A we Are providing 56 percent of All Western help for the soviet Union and 32 percent of Western Aid for the Central and East european states a Kohl said. Kohl urged the implementation of decisions made by a London Summit of the g-7 group of the worlds leading Industrial nations for assisting the soviets. Kohl said that when Germany assumes the rotating chairmanship of the g-7 on Jan. I a i will personally work emphatically for guiding the dialogue with the soviet Union to Concrete results As quickly As  with the soviets looking far less threatening after the collapse of the hard liner coup Kohl pressed for further Steps in global disarmament including a reduction of Short Range nuclear weapons. The United states has thousands of such weapons in Germany. A i will firmly apply myself toward the Quick achievement of american soviet negotiations on land based Short Range nuclear systems a said Kohl. With their Homeland no longer divided into rival nations Many germans see Little sense in keeping these so called a Battlefield weapons since their Range assures they would land Only on German soil. One saying among opponents of these arms is a the Shorter the Range the deader the  set today on Allied privileges in Germany by de Reavis staff writer negotiations begin today in Bonn Germany on the agreement Between Germany and the allies that touches on everything from Low level flying to gasoline prices. The German government asked for the meeting to discuss the treaty that offers special privileges to the allies. A we requested the meeting to review the entire supplement to the nato status of forces agreement sofa with the aim of adapting it to current political realities a unified Germany German sovereignty the International situation etc.,�?� a spokesman for the German foreign office said. The supplement signed aug. 3, 1959, describes in detail 83 areas regulating everyday life of the Allied forces in Western Germany ranging from building codes and taxes to vehicle registration and Legal issues. For example it enables americans to Purchase gasoline for less than the approximately $3 per gallon Price at German stations. But the spokesman said he did not think the germans would ask for changes in the tax Relief program for nato troops that allows Allied customers to avoid paying the country a 14 percent value added tax on purchases. Signatories to the agreement Are the United states great Britain France Canada the Netherlands Belgium and West Germany. The  Delegation will be led by Nelson Ledsky an emissary from Washington said Neal Walsh a spokesman from the  Embassy. A we do not know what Points the germans want to discuss a Walsh said. The spokesman for the German foreign office refused to talk in detail prior to the meeting about the alterations his government wants in the agreement. A the Media will find out later Quot he said. Quot but i can reveal this first meeting will concentrate on setting Ansee talks on Page 2